Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (17,400'). Yesterday as we made our way from Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (17,400') memories came rushing back. In 2002 I want to do everything possible to improve my chances of reaching the summit so on almost every rest day I would hike from Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep for exercise. Apparently it worked and the trail is so familiar.
After a couple of hours, we reached our destination, Everest Base Camp. Yipee! All of the vast hikers waited in single file and entered EBC as a team. Our Sherpa team greeted us with cheers and handshakes. We toured our compound of tents. The 28 climbers and over 50 Sherpas just on our IMG team, you can imagine the size of this tent city. EBC resides on a moving glacier of rock and ice. There are no permanent structures. Our camp consists of our personal tents, toilet tents, shower tents, cook tents, dining tents, communication tents and, oh, a chill out tent. We took a look inside and a projection unit was playing the movie Pulp Fiction. The inside wall of the tent serves as a screen. When the wind blows, the picture wobbles a bit, but how cool.
An hour later it was time for the Puja. This is a very important ceremony to the Sherpas and what's important to them is important to us. During the ceremony, they ask permission to climb the mountain and for all of our safety. A Lama came up from Pangboche and recited prayers. A juniper fire burns, our prayer flags are strung like spokes across our camp. We throw lots of rice, sompa (barley flour) is spread on our face. Our offerings are made, marches are chanted and it all ends in a Sherpa dance. The climbers set their crampons and ice axes on the alter to be blessed. I had a bag of personal effects, including a photo of my kitties. Now, since they've been blessed they may have more than nine lives.
Today, Ang Jang Bu took us on a tour of all of base camp. It seemed like every 10 feet I ran into someone we knew. Then it hit me. You've been climbing for 18 years, you should know a few guides and climbers by now. These Everest guides are incredible people, doing what they love for a living. I have a great respect for all of them. It must be one of the toughest jobs in the world.
All for now. We head down to Pheriche tomorrow, descending over 3,000'. Can't wait to breathe the thicker air.
Susan Ershler
International Speaker
Ershler International
http://www.SusanErshler.com
425-889-2333
